Delegation of local politicians went to Westminster to hold talks with DTVA owner Peel Group about recently published airport masterplan
Teesside MPs have urged residents and businesses to back an economic blueprint aimed at securing the future of Durham Tees Valley Airport. Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson yesterday led a delegation of local politicians to Westminster to hold talks with DTVA owner Peel Group about its recently publishedmasterplan for the airport. Central to the plan is the development of up to 400 homes on land to the west and north of the terminal – a move which airport bosses say will generate millions of pounds of investment and create up to 3,800 jobs. MPs quizzed Peel bosses about the masterplan and said they were confident the airport owner was making a long-term commitment to the region. But they also said the Teesside public needed to get fully behind the plans and help to promote a positive image of the airport. Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “We are acutely aware that the prevailing image and narrative of the airport is a negative one. We need to keep the public involved and we want to see a united front. “They [Peel] have said that they are in it for the long-term. It’s in everyone’s interest to make this airport a success.” Phil Wilson said the talks with Peel were “really positive” and he urged the people of Teesside not to write off the airport. He said: “Peel sees a long-term future in this airport which I was really pleased to hear. “They said they expect to make a financial loss in the short term but they are in this for the long haul. If they could diversify the offering at the airport, that would make the situation better.” He declined to reveal “confidential” details of potential investment opportunities that were discussed at the meeting. Peel was unavailable for comment. In recent years DTVA has been hit hard by economic headwinds that have buffeted regional airports across the UK. Passenger numbers have plummeted and DTVA announced it was cancelling the majority of its holiday charter services in a bid to cut costs.
By Gazette Live
26th February 2014